Spring release mechanism



May 11, 1948.

F. E. HARRISON SPRING RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Dec. 10, 1945 INVENTORFRANK E. HARRISON rpnripv ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1948 EJNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE/i amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This inventionrelates to spring release mechanisms and more particularly to mechanismsfor releasing compression springs from compressed condition.

In repairing, dismantling or otherwise performing operations on certaintypes of equipment, it is frequently necessary to release compressedsprings that yield considerable force on their release. An example ofsuch equipment is 20 mm. antiaircraft guns, in which relatively largesize helical compression springs are employed as equalizer springs andare retained in compressed state by stay bolts. In the absence ofspecially designed release mechanisms, releasing of such springs may beboth hazardous and time consuming.

Objects of the present invention are to provide improved mechanisms forreleasing compressed springs safely and expeditiously; to providemechanisms for safely absorbing the force or energy yielded on releaseof compression springs; to provide release mechanisms that areadjustable as to size of springs accommodated; and to provide forcarrying out the foregoing objects in a facile, economical and eflicientmanner.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, Ihave provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of whichis illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein the figure is a sideelevational view, partly in section, of a spring release mechanismembodying the features of the present invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

The mechanism of my invention comprises a tubular barrel l ofconsiderable length, preferably supported in a substantially horizontalposition. The support means for the barrel may conveniently include legsformed of pipe sections joined to form a pair of tripods Z and 3, one ofwhich is secured to the barrel adjacent each end thereof.

The walls of the barrel have one or 'more pairs of diametrically opposedtransverse apertures 4 and 5, proximate to the end of the barreldisposed toward the right as viewed in the figure. The transverseapertures are spaced from said end by distances equivalent to thecompressed lengths of the different types of springs with which it isintended to use the device. The barrel is preferably many times longerthan the springs even when the latter are released.

Guide means, including a plate 6 having a tubular socket member 1 fixedthereto, are supported on the barrel for longitudinal adjustment by apair of arcuate clamp members 8. The sock- 2 et in the member 1 isadapted to be aligned'with any of pairs of transverse openings 4 or '5.

A retaining pin 9 is slidably carried in the socket member 1, and isadapted to protrude into the inside of the barrel through the aperture4or 5 with which the socket is aligned. A lever or handle I0 is pivotedto the upper portion of the plate 6 and carries an arm ll fixed thereto.Preferably a brace I2 is fixed to the arm and handle to strengthen thestructure. A link [3 is pivotally connected to the free end of the armII and to the upper end of the pin 9.

A thrust collar l4 isthreadedly engaged with the end of the barrelproximate to the transverse apertures 4 and 5. The collar [4 preferablyhas an annular insert -l5 secured therein and is equipped with handlesI6 to facilitate rotation thereof.

The opposite end of the barrel carries abutment means l'! which mayconveniently comprise a sleeve secured within the barrel by a bolt "insuch manner as to leave clearance at the sides thereof.

Operation The plate 6 is adjusted longitudinally of the barrel l untilthe socket 1 is aligned with the transverse apertures 4 and 5 spacedfrom the collar [5 by a distance equivalent to the compressed length ofthe spring to be released. The handle Ill is rotated in acounter-clockwise direction as viewed in the figure to project the pin 9through the transverse apertures into the barrel. The collar I 4 isremoved and a compressed spring to be released is inserted into thebarrel behind the retaining pin and the collar is replaced.

The nut on the stay bolt of the spring is removed by use of a suitabletool, not shown, inserted through the opening in the annular insert I5.In this condition the spring is held compressed by engagement with theretaining pin 9 and with the thrust collar 16.

The lever or handle I0 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed inthe figure, thus withdrawing the retaining pin 9 from the barrel. Suchwithdrawal releases the spring and stay bolt,

' which are driven through the length of the barrel by the force of thespring yielded on release. Motion of the spring and stay bolt isarrested by engagement of the elements with the abutment means [1. Thusthe entire force or energy of the spring yielded on release thereof isexpended within the barrel, which safely absorbs the energy.

It is possible to release a number of springs out departing from thespirit of the invention.

I do not wish, therefore, to be limited. by the disclosures set forth,but only by thescope ofthe appended claims. 1

The invention described herein maybe manu factured and used by or forthe Government of the United states of America for governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A spring release mechanism comprising an elongated tubularbarrel-having a plura ty o transverse apertures .spacedrfrom an end.by'a distance equivalent to. the compressed-length of springs to bereleased, guide means supported on said barrel for longitudinaladjustment and havinga socket adapted to be aligned with any one of saidtransverse apertures,;a retaining pin slidably mounted in said'socketand adapted to projectinto, saidbarrel through the transverse aperturealigned with said socket,- a lever pivoted to saidg-uid'e means,linkagemeans operatively connecting said retaining pin and said lever, athrust collar removably secured to the end of said barrel proximate to.said transverse apertures and having an access aperture therethrough;and abutment means carried by said barrel adjacent the oppositeend-thereof. j

2. A spring release mechanism comprising an elongated tubular barrelhaving at least one transverse aperture spaced from an end by a dis- 4otanceequivaient to the compressed length of spring to be released, guidemeans supported on said barrel and having a socket aligned with saidtransverse aperture, a retaining pin slidably mounted in said socket andadapted to project into said barrel through said transverse aperture,

a lever pivoted to said guide means, linkage means operativelyconnecting said retaining pin and said lever, a thrust collar removablysecured to the end of said barrel proximate to said transverse apertureand having an access aperture therethrough, and abutment means carriedby said barrel adjacent the opposite end thereof.

3. A spring release mechanism comprising an elongated tubular barrelhaving at least one 7 transverse aperture, guide means supported on saidbarrel, a retaining pin slidably supported in said guide means andadapted to project into said barrel through said transverse aperture,means mounted on said guide means for projecting and retracting saidretaining pin through said aperture, a thrust collar removably securedto an end of said barrel and having an access aperture therethrough, andabutment means carried by said barrel adjacent the opposite end thereof.

FRANK E. HARRISON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

